the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet

English

Proverb

the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet

1. In order to achieve something, it is inevitable and necessary that some sacrifices be made.

   Synonyms: no pain, no gain; you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs; you don't get something for nothing; you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette

Translations

some sacrifices must be made for something to be achieved

• Finnish: ei makaavan kissan suuhun hiiri juokse
• Greek: αν δεν βρέξεις κώλο, ψάρι δεν τρως (an den vréxeis kólo, psári den tros)
• Russian: хо́чется ры́бку съесть, да не хо́чется в во́ду лезть (xóčetsja rýbku sʺjestʹ, da ne xóčetsja v vódu leztʹ)
• Spanish: quien quiera peces, que moje el culo

See also

• collateral damage
• get one's hands dirty
• side effect